A VIOLENT masked gang led by a dangerous criminal nicknamed “The Guv’nor” were today behind bars for the brutal robbery of a wealthy south Liverpool family.

A VIOLENT masked gang led by a dangerous criminal nicknamed The Guvnor were today behind bars for the brutal robbery of a wealthy south Liverpool family.

The terrified family were beaten and tied up by raiders who showed no mercy as they plundered their Calderstones house of more than s300,000 in jewellery and cash.

Ruthless Guvnor Paul Clarke, 43, and his right-hand man Gary Warner, 46, were jailed for life yesterday by a judge who branded them hot-headed men who do not like to be crossed or challenged.

Three of their henchmen Karl Fitzmaurice, Steven Rainford and Neil Stockley were also jailed for a total of 43 years.

The hour-long ordeal suffered by the family of five, including their three children, was described by judge Mark Brown as every householders worst nightmare.

The gang struck at the leafy, gated home in Druids Park at 9.20pm on March 8, 2011 when the mother was smoking outside.

A black-gloved hand smothered her face and she was dragged, tied and bound inside the house.

Her brave struggle was such that one of the robbers joked to her daughters: You've got a tough mother.

One daughter, then 22, was struck over the head and bound. Another, then 21, was dragged from an annexed cottage where they threatened to slit her sisters throat.

They tried to tape her mouth and only relented when she pleaded with them about her asthma. Instead they hit her and threw her to the ground.

Their girls' father was struck over the head with a glass picture frame and stabbed in the upper arm. His ear was almost severed.

Chillingly, when he had handed over s327,000 of jewellery and a Rolex watch, one of the raiders told him: I know about you. I know that youve got more than this.

You've got £500k worth of insurance.

When the fearful family were tied up, the gang threatened to scold them with hot water and brand them with a hot iron unless they got what they wanted.

Judge Brown said: On March 8, the family were enjoying a pleasant and relaxing evening when suddenly their privacy was invaded and, I have no doubt, their lives changed forever.

He added: [The gang] were happy to use serious violence to get as much valuable jewellery and cash as they could.

The family were threatened that they would be tortured if they did not get what they expected.

Police managed to trace the men thanks to the brave actions of the family's teenage son, then 16, who confronted Fitzmaurice, 40, and hit him with a small bat, causing him to bleed.

His DNA, and that of Stockley, led detectives to the other defendants. Judge Brown praised the 16-year-old boy's courage and determination to protect his family.

The court heard that the family had been left psychologically scarred by the trauma, with two of them left with physical scars to permanently remind them of the horror.

In a victim statement, the mother, who was left black and blue, said her home now felt like a prison. She said she feared her daughters would be raped by the men. One daughter missed classes at university after the horror.

None of the jewellery including wedding and engagement rings and family heirlooms has ever been found.

Their home now has high-tech security resembling a fort, the court heard.

Clarke, of Richmond Way, Tarbock, and Warner, of Boteler Court, Stockton Heath, Warrington, must serve a minimum of 10 years before they can apply for parole. They were both found guilty of robbery after a trial.

Warner is already in prison after being jailed for 16 years for a similar robbery in Mold, also in 2011. Clarke previously served a 12-and-a-half year sentence for robbery.

Judge Brown described them as ruthless and dangerous.

He told them: You will do whatever is necessary to get what you want.

He added: They present as forceful and hot-headed men who dont like being crossed or challenged.

They are prepared to use serious instrumental violence to achieve their ends. They wish to be in control at all times.

They are career criminals who have no respect for others or their property. They are ruthless and dangerous.

Rainford, 44, of Madeira Drive, Gateacre, was jailed for 17-and-a-half years after also denying robbery.

The former painter and decorator was out of work for two years at the time of the robbery.

Former Jaguar Land Rover worker Fitzmaurice, of Eastern Avenue, Speke, admitted the robbery and was jailed for 12-and-a-half years. He was of relative good character, the court heard.

Stockley, 40, of Greenall Court in Prescot, was jailed for 13 years in September last year after he admitted the planned robbery.

As Warner was taken to the cells he shouted at the judge: I am an innocent man and I will fight this to the day I die.

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